Improvement in ice-carriages



UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

CHARLES HAMMELMANN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN ICE-CARRIAGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,393, dated April 7,1874 application filed January 9, 1874.

'To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HAMMEL- MANN, of the city of Buffalo, in thecounty of- Erie and State of New York, have invented certainImprovements in Toy Sleighs, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of sleighs which are provided with atoothed propelling or traction wheel, running on the snow or ice, andoperated by a train of gear-wheels, driven by cranks; and it consists,mainly, in the combination, with the propelling-wheel, of asupporting-frame, pivoted vertically in the front part of the sleigh, soas to enable the said wheel to steer the sleigh by turning the frame onits pivot. In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a sectionalelevation of a sleigh provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a topplan view, and Fig. 3 a front elevation, thereof.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in each of the figures.

A A represent the runners of the sleigh B, the seat thereof, supportedon cross-pieces I) I) and standards 0 c in the usual manner. D is thetoothed traction or propelling wheel, arranged between the runners Anear the front of the sleigh. As shown in the drawing, it is composed oftwo similar sections or parts, each forming a complete wheel, bothsections turnin g on a common shaft, (1, and having secured between thema concentric gear-wheel, E. F is a bifurcated bearing, arrangedvertically, or nearly so, and supporting in its lower ends the shaft (Zof the propelling wheel. It carries at its upper end a pivot-pin, f,arranged centrally above the traction-wheel l), and pass ing through across'piece, G, of the sleigh, in which the bearing F is. held againstthe downward movement by a screw-nut, g, or equivalent device, appliedto the end of the pivotj", on the top of the said cross-piece. h is aspiral spring, arranged around the pivot f, between the bearing F andthe cross-piece Gr, so as to press the former and the propelling-wheel Dsupported therein downward, while permittiiji g a certain amount ofupward motionto the wheel Dwhen it strikes an obstruction. I is ahorizontal bifurcated frame or hearing, hung with its front ends on theshaft (1 of the propelling-wheel, and supporting thetrain of gearwheelsby which the propelling-wheel D is operated. The rear end of the frame Iis supported so as to maintain the same in a horizontal position, by ahorizontal guide, K, of the form of a circular are, described from thecenter of the propelling-wheel D. As shown in the drawing, this guide isformed in one piece with the frame. I, and is slotted so as to engagewith its outer portion in a staple or eye, Z, secured to the cross-pieceb of the sleigh. A king-bolt passing through the slot of the guide K,and secured to cross-piece b, may be used instead of the staple Z. Bythis means, the frames I and F are always properly supported when swunglaterally on the pivot f, as a center in steering the sleigh. M is thedrivin ggear wheel, operated by hand-cranks m and supported in standardbearings 12, attached to the horizontal frame I. N is a countergearwheel connecting the gear-wheels M and E, and supported in suitablebearings 0, attached to the frame I. The gear-wheel M is preferablyprovided with an inclosin g case, p, to guard against accidents. (1 is ahandJever, having its fulcrum on the cross-piece G of the sleigh, itsrear end extending tonear the seat B, while its short front end isconnected by a link,

1', with the bearing F. The lever q is preferably constructed with asquare or other suitable socket inclosing the nut g of the pivot f, soas turn with the latter.

Upon turning the l1andcranks m the tractiolrwliccl I) is revolved andthe sleigh propelled in an obvious manner, and bearing on. the cranks mlaterally, the frame, composed of the portions F and I supporting thepropelling mechanism, is swung on the pivot f, and the direction of thesleigh changed accordingly, the frames I and F being always main tainedin the proper position by the guide K and loop I. By depressing thehand-lever q, the propelling-wheel D is readily raised from the groundin order to clear obstructions, or when the propelling mechanism is notrequired to be 'used, while the wheel D is enabled to adapt itself tothe inequalities of the ground by the sprin h.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. The combination, with thepropelling- Wheel, of the propelling mechanism, supporting-frame I, andpivoted bearing F f, Whereby the sleigh may be steered by swinging theframe upon its pivot, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the pivoted bearing F f and propelling-Wheel D,of the spiral spring 71, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination, with the pivoted frame F I, and the mechanismdescribed for driving the propeller mounted thereon, the curved guide K,and loop I, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with the propellingwheel 1), pivoted bearing Ff, andspring h, of the hand-lever q and link a", for raising thepropelling-wheel from the ground, substantially as set forth.

CHARLES HAMMELMANN.

Vitnesses:

JNo. J. BONNER, EDWARD WILHELM.

